Disabilities

This bill extends the Care Demonstration Program for people with developmental disabilities, administered by New York's Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD), through March 31, 2028. It changes the expiration date in existing law from March 31, 2026, to March 31, 2028, without altering the program's structure or eligibility. The extension applies directly to OPWDD's ongoing administration of this specific care demonstration initiative.

Extends for two years the requirement for OPWDD to give a 90-day notice to the Senate, Assembly, and labor organizations of any closures or transfer of a state operated individualized residential alternative.

Establishes the statewide group home families working group; provides that duties include informing and advising the commissioner as to matters of importance for persons with developmental disabilities residing in group homes and their families and guardians, providing recommendations for statewide and regional priorities and goals for individuals residing in group homes and families and guardians of individuals residing in group homes, advising the commissioner on such other matters related to group homes as the statewide group home families working group deems relevant, holding regional public meetings to solicit and receive input from residents of group homes and family members and guardians of residents of group homes, and any matter relating to the performance of their duties with relation to individuals in group homes and on policies, Establishes the statewide group home families working group; provides that duties include informing and advising the commissioner as to matters of importance for persons with developmental disabilities residing in group homes and their families and guardians, providing recommendations for statewide and regional priorities and goals for individuals residing in group homes and families and guardians of individuals residing in group homes, advising the commissioner on such other matters related to group homes as the statewide group home families working group deems relevant, holding public meetings to solicit and receive input from residents of group homes and family members and guardians of residents of group homes, and any matter relating to the performance of their duties with relation to individuals in group homes and on policies, goals, budget and operation of group homes.

Establishes the statewide group home families working group; provides that duties include informing and advising the commissioner as to matters of importance for persons with developmental disabilities residing in group homes and their families and guardians, providing recommendations for statewide and regional priorities and goals for individuals residing in group homes and families and guardians of individuals residing in group homes, advising the commissioner on such other matters related to group homes as the statewide group home families working group deems relevant, holding regional public meetings to solicit and receive input from residents of group homes and family members and guardians of residents of group homes, and any matter relating to the performance of their duties with relation to individuals in group homes and on policies, Establishes the statewide group home families working group; provides that duties include informing and advising the commissioner as to matters of importance for persons with developmental disabilities residing in group homes and their families and guardians, providing recommendations for statewide and regional priorities and goals for individuals residing in group homes and families and guardians of individuals residing in group homes, advising the commissioner on such other matters related to group homes as the statewide group home families working group deems relevant, holding public meetings to solicit and receive input from residents of group homes and family members and guardians of residents of group homes, and any matter relating to the performance of their duties with relation to individuals in group homes and on policies, goals, budget and operation of group homes.

Enacts "Ella's law"; requires care managers employed by or under contract with a care coordination organization to provide care management services to an individual unless such care manager has completed all training requirements.